The Tata 1109 Ex2 is a convenient, comfortable vehicle offering which has been designed to offer additional payload of 600 kg (12,500 kg GVW). The vehicle comes with 4-cylinder turbo-charged inter-cooled engine, delivering 90 PS and maximum torque of 325 Nm. Further, it has been fitted with a stronger frame, power steering and clutch booster for easy drivability.
The other additional features include clear lens head lamps, fog lamps for better visibility, deluxe cabin with digital clock, and mobile charger. Further the vehicle comes with a best-in-class warranty of 18 months/1,50,000 km warranty and longer service interval @ 20,000 km.
Addressing a press conference on the occasion, Mr. R. Ramakrishnan, Head – Sales & Marketing, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, said: “Ex2 represents a defined set of product improvements like power steering, clutch boosters, improvements in service intervals, etc., and we’re very pleased to launch our 1109 in its Ex2 avatar for our Chennai customers.”
Clearing a point raised by our Correspondent, Mr. Ramakrishnan said that the vehicle which was initially launched in Surat in September aroused high expectations both within the company and among customers. Currently, the all-India market size for the 11-tonner trucks is around 35,000 units, in which Tata Motors enjoys an appreciable share of 60 per cent. The company has increased its market share in the 11-tonner segment in Tamil Nadu even during the current recession, from 32 per cent to 47 per cent in the last one year. The ultimate aim is to achieve a 60 per cent market share in the State, where it has so far sold 350 11-tonner vehicles and hopes to raise the level to 700 units by March 2010.
Since the Bharat Stage III will be enforced in 14 cities with effect from April 1, 2010, the company is all set to upgrade the product range, Mr. Ramakrishnan added.
Mr. Anil Kapur, Head – Sales and Marketing – Small and Light Trucks, said: “The Tata 1109 Ex2 offers more payload which directly impacts a customer’s business growth. What’s more, the Ex2 features give the new 1109 a competitive features-to-price ratio which we believe will more than match our customers needs”.
Dividend paying strategy
According to Mr. Kapur, the strategy adopted by Tata Motors during the last one year has paid rich dividends. For example, even during the current recessionary market phase, the company has been able to make more investments on R&D; and has turned out several new products. In recent months, it has launched new vehicles like ACE EX, a one-tonner Super ACE, and the SK 407 tipper which have evoked good market response. With its attractive heavy retail scheme, the company has also considerably reduced the inventory level.
In his address, Mr. K. Joghee, Head – Marketing – LCV and ICV Trucks, observed that the 1109 Ex2 vehicle comes with many ‘firsts’ to its credit, including power steering, clutch booster, clear lens headlamp, enhanced service interval, longer service interval @ 20,000 km, etc. With add-on features, the product would positively help the customers enhance their revenue. With reduced oil change, the operator can also save Rs. 10,000. The ex-showroom price of the vehicle has been competitively fixed at Rs. 8.85 lakhs, he added.
Tata Motors is India’s largest automobile company, with consolidated revenues of Rs. 70,938.85 crores ($14 billion) in 2008-09. Through subsidiaries and associate companies, it has operations in the UK, South Korea, Thailand and Spain. Among them is Jaguar Land Rover, the business comprising the two iconic British brands. It also has an industrial joint venture with Fiat in India.
With over four million Tata vehicles plying in India, Tata Motors is the country’s market leader in commercial vehicles and among the top three in passenger vehicles. It is also the world’s fourth largest truck manufacturer and the second largest bus manufacturer.
